1

Get out of Traffic and

Into Training!

PEMBROKESHIRE
RAIL TRAVELLERS
ASSOCIATION.
www.prta.org.uk

NEWSLETTE
R
 2

90.
July -2010.

IF YOU HAVN’T
PLEASE PAY YOUR 2010 SUB

PRTA: THE PEOPLE: 2009-2010

CHAIRMAN.

Bryan Morgan, Bulford Road, Johnston 01437890642

VICE CHAIRMAN:

Robert Best – below

SECRETARY:

Pete Absolon
01646 693498
Taberna Inn, Herbrandston Milford Haven Pembrokeshire
taberna@inn01.freeserve.co.uk

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY & TREASURER:

Robert Best
11, Warwick Road, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire
woblats1@aol.com

WEBMASTER:
David Harries 01646 661340
dandh@f2s.com

TIMETABLEMASTER:
 3
David Watts 01646 692752
davidgwynwatts@aol.com

NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Guy Hardy 07780322966
cawdronhardy@gmail.com

COMMITTEE:
Keith Bowskill; Pembroke;
Allan Grieve; Neyland,
Erene Grieve; Neyland.
Janet Batey; Herbrandston

AIMS of PEMBROKESHIRE RAIL

TRAVELLERS ASSOCIATION:

1. To Press for improvements to rail and associated bus

services in the area West of Carmarthen.

2. To encourage greater use of the current services

3. To assist in the improvement of the railway environment in

particular at stations

4. To liase with other pro – rail organizations.

Passenger Rail is Going Places –

Join us for the Journey.
Fees are:
£4 electronic [all communication electronically]
£7 standard[MAIL]
Corporate and Group: £5 electronic [all communication
electronically]
£10 standard [mail]
[50% AFTER July 1st]
No joining fee.
See back page to Join/Renew.
CALL TO ACTION
 4
Seen any vandalism lately? – seen any graffiti operators? –
people behaving suspiciously around the railway?
DIAL 0800 405040 –

HELP THE RAILWAY TO TAKE CARE OF ITSELF

EDITORIAL
Well now the election’s over we can all finally grasp
just what a mess the nation’s finances are in –
whether the new form of government will be an
improvement will be revealed in the future; this far
it would be churlish to offer too much in terms of
criticism. Having said that nothing can get us away
from the fact that the country has been spending at
a level far ahead of its income and as every
householder knows the day of reckoning comes
sooner or later. What we have to ask ourselves is –
how will this affect our railways and public transport
generally? – At this writing the answer is not clear.
In the Spring the Welsh Assembly Government
produced a Wales Rail Improvement Plan – QV
below – despite some omissions it has some
substantial improvements. Meantime the dismal
brigade in England are claiming that Whitehall are
looking at line closures and substantial service
reductions – the Great Western electrification and
HST replacement programmes are either in doubt or
significantly delayed – even the pensioner’s bus
pass is under scrutiny and Network Rail looks like it
will be going through the mangle.
We are in a period of uncertainty for subsidised
public transport – hopefully the government in
Cardiff will be a buffer for us against cuts but even
the devolved administration must cut its coat
according to its cloth.
All rail wheels turning West of Swansea receive tax
payer subsidy – this doesn’t necessarily make them
vulnerable – they become easy targets if ridership
is low and the trains are empty so use the train
when you can!
Good Travelling!
 5

THIS ISSUE CALLS ON REQUEST

AT:
The
People..............................................................2
Aims of The Pembrokeshire Rail Travellers
Association..3
Passenger Rail is Going Places Join Us For The
Journey.3
Call To
Action..........................................................3
Editorial.............................................................
.....4
This Issue Calls On Request
at...................................4
Editors
Notes...........................................................5
The Wales Rail Improvement
Plan...............................6
PRTA AGM
2010.......................................................7
Non Regulated
Fares................................................12
Safety is no
Accident................................................12
Useful
Contacts.......................................................13
Taberna Inn
Ad........................................................14
Please
renew/Join.....................................................15
Heritage
Railways.....................................................16

EDITOR’S NOTES
In late March, Highland Airways, the operator of the
Welsh Assembly Government air service from Valley
to Cardiff went into administration and all flights
were cancelled with immediate effect. The WAG had
asked for tenders in the Autumn of 2009 for a new
four year contract on the route using larger aircraft
– Highland Airways were the only tenderers. The air
service attracted an annual subsidy of £800K as
 6
opposed to the WAG subsidy of the ‘ One Wales
Express’ [Hollyhead – Cardiff] which is £2Million PA.

WAG will provide funding [see 5 year plan] for ATW

to refurbish 24 2 carriage 158 sets and 8 single car
153s – this is expected to be completed by the end
of 2012.

Travelling from Milford Haven to Derby fare info

obtained highlighted the present chaos –
All with senior railcard
Derby-Milford [Monday] £45-75 single
Milford – Derby [Monday] £56-75
Anytime return £68-95
National Express £24-40 return[over 60 ticket – no
card]
Road is about 12 gallons + overhead depending on
type of car etc

Our Community Rail Partnership is collaborating

with the other 5 partnerships in Wales in the
Sustainable Tourism by Public Transport Offer to the
world outside Wales. This has involved running
stands on stations at Marylebone in London,
Manchester, Cardiff, Shrewsbury and Llangollen.

Network Rail is currently advertising for 25 public

members it wants people who will “seek assurance”
rather than “voice one’s own opinions” – “That skill
in asking questions is not necessarily dependent on
having knowledge of the operation of the railways.
It is more related to the effectiveness of asking
questions, the perceptiveness of questioning and
the willingness to listen to the explanations and
acceptance of alternative viewpoints”. So that’s
alright then!

Gordon Brown’s administration made Network Rail

exempt from freedom of information requests but
the new government has removed this. Now NR’s
Michael Coucher has announced he is stepping
down with effect from 17 June but will stay on until
a replacement is found. Meantime the FOI requests
are arriving at NR’s door – the company is
 7
estimated to have paid out £15million to leaving
employees to effectively gag them in some cases
paying out virtually at the court doors to get action
stopped.

Will the new administration have a look at ORR?

ORR has 340 full time employees but paid
consultants £2million in 2008-9 – it cost over
£32million in this year.

ORR revealed that apportioning blame for train

delays involves 300-500 people [2008]

THE WALES RAIL IMPROVEMENT

PLAN.
In late March the Welsh Government produced a 5
year National Transport Plan. Promises for action
therein are:

Valley Lines improvements with additional platforms

at Pontypridd, Caerphilly and Barry[work starting by
2014]

Additional carriages on peak trains and new station

at Energlyn near Caerphilly.

Developing plans for additional services

Pontypridd/Caerphilly – Cardiff

Work with Network Rail to redouble Loughor –

Gowerton

Additional ½ hourly services on Vale of Glamorgan

line after Cardiff resignalling

Extended ½ hourly service from Maesteg to Cardiff

and Brackla

Daytime hourly trains Aberystwyth – Shrewsbury by

2011
 8
Developing plans for additional Heart of Wales line
services

Complete improvement to Gaer Junction by 2011

with feasibilty work on hourly services from Ebbw
Vale to both Cardiff and Newport and on a new
central Ebbw Vale station.

Improvements in North South services with

continued support for Hollyhead – Cardiff fast train
service.

Enhance capacity of Shrewsbury – Chester line to

route all North – South services via Wrexham.

Start to remove high platforms/ train steps by 2011

– pilot programmes at Aberdovey and Valley Line
stations.

Programme to improve stations and interchanges.

Refurbish and invest in rolling stock to improve

actual and perceived security, comfort and journey
times, and improve cycle provision.

Work with DfT on Great Western electrification,

business case for the electrification of further lines
and to make sure Wales is connected to the
developing high speed network.

Investigate opportunities to re-open disused lines.

Continue to provide freight facilities grants.

COMMENT>
No additional trains then for Fishguard – no mention
of enhanced service through Loughor- Gowerton –
re doubling here without increases in the number of
trains would be hard to justify financially as the
present service is running pretty well on the single
track. Again the Swansea District Line is ignored.
Improvements in train service on the Heart of Wales
might give sensible connections at Llanelli but don’t
hold your breath! It seems that West Wales has no
 9

PEMBROKESHIRE
clout in the WAG.
RAIL TRAVELLERS ASSOCIATION
2010 AGM

Annual general meeting of the PRTA Taberna 9th

June 2010, agenda as in recent newsletter
Present: Peter, Brian, Keith, David H, David W,
Robert
Apols: Guy, Janet, Erene, Alan

Welcome by chairman
Minutes of last year’s AGM were approved
Matters arising – David W asked about the website
counter (see webmaster report)
Chairman’s address (Brian Morgan)
• This had been quite a successful year. We
had pressed for improvements at Milford
Haven station. The assembly had granted
£90,000 for a better bus-rail link. The
chairman will be meeting Paul Davies on
Monday night and will keep the topic under
dicsussion. Robert suggested that £90,000
would cover a new shelter and a TV
information screen. David W wanted to be
sure that a path would be constructed
across the garden area, as it would be far
cheaper than trying to keep people off it.
• CRO had done a fantastic job, we had
campaigned to have her hours increased.
• It was still clear at station adopters
meetings that ATW believes it is still doing
well. There will be no extra trains/facilities
unless someone pays.
The chairman thanked officers and committee for
their efforts over the year.
Secretary’s report (Peter Absolon)
• Most correspondence communicated as it
happens.
• We have reviewed two consultation
timetables about six months ahead of
introduction.
 10
• Meetings during last year:
March 25th 2009 AGM
June 3rd 2009 Committee
June 30th 2009 Committee and Community Rail officer
August 11th 2009 Committee and Ben Davies of ATW,
CRO and NPTF
October 13th 2009 Just a few of us turned up
December 16th 2009 Committee
April 27th 2010 Committee
Today AGM
Fewer meetings than usual – would we benefit
from setting a fixed meeting day every couple
of months – and from slotting special meetings
with external bodies/people on days to suit
them?
6. Treasurer’s report (Robert Best)
Money at bank Current £660.19
Paid in £111.00
Total at 8 June £771.19

Deposit account £376.00

Cash £42.00
Paid out £7.80
Remaining 8th June £35.20

6a Membership secretary’s report (Robert Best) –

current
membership 33 (Last year 30)
7. Webmaster’s report (David H) confirmed that a
counter counts how many people access our
website – this can be reset if we wish to count a
particular time interval
8. Timetablemaster’s report(David W) – apologized
for late production of PRTA timetables, but TTs
were received late from Arriva. Robert says
everyone he has spoken to likes the A5
timetable.
9. Newsletter editor’s report (Guy submitted a
written report)
 11
This is the first AGM of the Association that I have
been unable to attend since it started and I send
apologies.

Six Newsletters have been produced over the last

year – 1 x 24pp, 1 x 26pp, 2 x 28pp, 1 x 32pp and
1 x 40pp.

Producing a newsletter every eight weeks for “the

area West of Carmarthen” is something of a
challenge – despite making every effort I am
sometimes conscious that the local content is
sometimes a little under strength and commentary
on the wider rail goings on is a regular feature. In
the past this has been commented on in the annual
members survey but this year there has been no
criticism and the NL has received general
appreciation as per the write up in no 89 – May.

Generally pursuit of copy is a challenge and I

acknowledge and thank those members of the
committee who have sent in pieces to include – the
secretary and timetablemaster have been
particularly kind in this respect. Any comment or
trip report is welcome subject to space – the supply
tends to be feast or famine as you can imagine.
Guy was complimented on the quality of the
newsletter
10. Elections – all officers re-elected, suitably
proposed and seconded. Committee re-elected
en bloc, also, suitably proposed and seconded.
11. AOB – secretary asked to follow up various
problems – responses to date from ATW in
boxes, but work still in progress at Arriva:
- 7.09 from Pembroke Dock getting stuck
outside Swansea, rendering connection with
London train problematic.
From ATW
Apologies for the delay, I will deal with
these asap but do you have a date relating
to late arrival of the 0709 at Swansea?
Further to previous e-mail,having discussed
withy colleagues, the 0809 from Cardiff
 12
doesn’t appear as a ‘rogue’ service but we
will monitor this one especially for the
effects that you have pointed out. There is a
potential congestion issue around Swansea
at this time of day but, generally then plan
works pretty well to accommodate the
number of trains around the station. There
is one fallback on weekdays if the 0709
misses the London connection at Swansea
and that is to carry on to Cardiff to connect
with the xx55 service.
I have supplied Michael with info from Keith
on dates
- Timetable suggesting that trains don’t really
connect (7.09 with 9.29 at Swansea)
From ATW
I can only apologise, the connection at
Swansea of the 0709 Pembroke Dock time
is an error on my part. I will make sure it is
shown correctly when we republish the
pocket timetables.
- Indicator display on platform 1 at
Carmarthen now only displays Plat 1 trains.
From ATW
I have now had the circumstances checked
and confirm that there is a train summary
screen in the booking office but accept that
nothing similar exists on the platform. We
do have staff there 24 hours a day to
provide customer assistance, however the
Station Manager will investigate whether we
can install another summary screen on the
platform also.
- Difficulty buying Pembs Railcard locally.
From ATW
I can only apologise for the service provided
but be assured that I have made everyone
aware.

From: ATW
Must say I’m very surprised – my team
 13
don’t have named contacts at Local
Authorities.

We’ve had Pembs Railcard forms for some

2-3 months ready to send out, so not
certain why this wasn’t done.

If he can supply more details (i.e. name of

committee member who contacted us, and
e-mail address if possible) I can investigate
further to see if someone has “gone rogue”
with the info they’ve been giving.

I have sent info supplied by David H giving

customer query reference number.

From: ATW Marketing

I have asked Teleri to make the necessary
amendments to the website (refers to my
suggestion that the ATW website might tell
you how to buy one, like the National Rail
site does!)
- Free bus service Rhoose station to Cardiff
Airport does it run or not, conflicting info on
websites
From ATW
I confirm that the free shuttle bus is
continuing to run. Previously the airport
itself funded it but sough to withdraw it
bacause of the lack of patronage. WAG now
fund the service and I am not sure how long
this arrangement will last but I believe it will
be for at least 12 months. We were not
advised that they would continue to fund it
until the week before its intended
withdrawal. The infomatioin on our website
therefore is correct and it would appear that
no-one has advised Traveline, my colleague
will arrange. In the event, whatever
information you need and can't find it, let
me know and I will try and get it for you as
soon as possible.
 14
Other items
- Robert reported on a round UK trip he had
prebooked for £55, Milford to London to
Manchester to Birmingham to Milford.
- Had there been too many class 175 failures
lately?
- Brian still thinks we should try to get all
Milford to Manchester trains made of three
coaches – logic of train allocation explained
by Peter, based on previous info from
Arriva.
- David W reported that Bridgend bus station
has display TV for train times.
- A customer had asked what to do if taking
ill on a train – do we always know where the
guard is (oddly, one of my rail mags had a
similar comment this month, suggesting
that the buffet car steward was a natural
point to report problems but that now
Arriva’s XC had replaced buffet cars with
trolleys, you couldn’t guarantee to find help
in one single place).
- Keith said that ATW trains had been very
very reliable for a long time
12. Date of next meeting Monday 6th September at
Taberna (but see email from ATW). Discussion
to include timing of AGM in the PRTA year.

Peter Phone: 01646 693498

Email: Taberna.inn1@btconnect.com

NON REGULATED FARES

One way that train operators have been able to get
round the limitations imposed by government fare
regulation is to change the fare validity on trains –
this can be done by declaring that peak travelling
hours when certain tickets are not valid are
extended. In the Spring 200 services were switched
from off peak to peak . On Virgin London
Manchester fares which were £66 are now £262 on
the trains affected – on Telford – London fares the
increase was from £45 to £158. ATOC claimed that
 15
the average rise in fares in January 2010 was just
1.1% but thats small beer if a traveller is faced with
the kind of increases above.

SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT!
A SAFE TRIP IS A GREAT TRIP!

# Arrive at your station early to avoid

rushing for your train

# Think about parking logistics before

setting out

# Watch your step when boarding and

leaving the train

# Use handholds/handrails when boarding

and moving through the train

# When alighting organise luggage and

move to the vestibule in plenty of time

# Walk don’t run on stations and in trains

# Read safety info on board.

USEFUL CONTACTS.
ATW Station Manager for our area
Arriva Trains Wales, St. Marys House, Penarth
Road, Cardiff 08456061660

ticket sales 08709000773

www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk

National Rail Enquiries 0845 7484950 Welsh

language 0845 6040500
Disabled Assistance 0845 3003005
 16
British Transport Police 0800 405040 LOCAL police
0845 3302000
Cycling on rail 0870 9000772
Lost Property 0845 6061660
UK Traveline for bus information 0870 6082608
www.internet.xephos.com uk all modes journey
planner
www.bahn.de timetable planner pan Europe
German railways but in English!
Milford Travel. Charles Street, Milford Haven 01646
692268
Milford Station Office [open mornings] 01646
693460
Traintracker – for current running info 0871
2004950
Transport for London 02072221234
Great Western Ticket Line 0845 7000125
Great Western On Line Ticket Sales
www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk
Great Western group travel 0845 7413777
Great Western Plus Bus www.plusbus.org.uk check
add -on fares
Virgin Trains www.virgintrains.co.uk
National Rail Information www.nationalrail.co.uk
www.transport-direct.org.uk public transport info
Europacar – UK car rental
01133882429Pembrokeshire County Council – for
bus timetable info 01437 764551
National Express 0870 5808080
Richards Bros 01239 613756 www.gobybus.net
www.richardsbros.co.uk
Silcox Buses 01646 683143
www.silcoxcoaches.co.uk
North Pembrokeshire transport Forum
hatti@woakes.demon.co.uk
First Cymru buses 0870 6082608
www.firstgroup.com
Pembrokeshire County Council Greenways 01437
776313 greenways@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Friends of the Earth www.foepenfro.org.uk
Festiniog/ Welsh highland Railways
www.festrail.co.uk 01286 677018
Beacons Bus 01873 853254
www.visitbreconbeacons.com
 17
Carmarthenshire County Council – transportation
publictransport@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Freedom of Wales Flexipass 0870 9000777
www.walesflexipass.com
Great Western Customer Relations
customer.relations@gwt.firstgroup.com
Pembrokeshire Rail Travellers Association
www.prta.org.uk
Bus users UK www.bususers.org
Acorn Travel 01348 74728 www.acorntravel.com
Trans Wales Bus – www.trawscambria.info
South West Wales Integrated Transport
Consortium: SWWITCH www.swwitch.org.uk
www.Seat61.com –a useful site for overseas rail
travel
Llandrindod Wells Booking Office – Kelsham Hannah
01597822053
Ludlow Station Travel – Railway Station, Ludlow
01584877090
Arriva Cross country www. Crosscountrytrains.co.uk
[Cardiff – Nottingham
East Midlands Trains www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk
08457125678
Swiss Timetable: www.ch.co

TABERNA
INN
Herbrandston, Milford Haven,
Pembrokeshire, SA73 3TD- Good
food, real ale, pleasant
conversation -
- Restaurant, bistro, lounge
or bar -
- On coast path and bus
routes -
 18
- B&B from £18 pppn –
Private
functions by arrangement –
- Open: Midday-close
every day
Food: 12-2 and 6-9 except
winter Sunday evenings, booking
advisable

Telephone 01646 693498

email:taberna@inn01.freeserve.co.uk
Website:http://taberna.mysite.freeser
ve.com

Advertisement. – The Taberna is in

the Good Beer Guide for 2010

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 19

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 20

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 21

[Brandbright] Was it better 80/90 years

ago?

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